A sacred mission

JERUSALEM — More than 100 Israeli leaders gathered with Jewish-American counterparts in Jerusalem late last year with a daunting mission: to save Jewish life in North America.

Jewish-American leaders have known for years that assimilation and intermarriage were slowly shrinking their communities, but the November gathering took on an extra sense of urgency. Just weeks earlier, a landmark study had found that young American Jews are growing increasingly estranged from Judaism.

As these efforts press ahead, they are being complicated by a new issue: What role can Israel play in Jewish-American life at a time when many American Jews, who tend to be socially liberal, have misgivings about some of Israel’s policies?

There is a broad consensus that Israel will be an important player in solving the problems of American Jewry. Yet experts say it cannot ignore the alienation that many Americans feel over perceived religious intolerance, Israel’s construction of West Bank settlements and the continued control over millions of Palestinians.

“An Israel which doesn’t address these issues is an Israel which in the long run endangers the relationship with world Jewry,” said Donniel Hartman, who leads an initiative called iEngage, which encourages dialogue about perceptions of Israel with American Jews and which sent representatives to November’s gathering. He said Jews who don’t believe Israel shares their liberal values may disconnect from it.

Israel’s newfound influence in the debate on American Jewry represents something of a role reversal. U.S. Jews have traditionally been a lifeline, raising hundreds of millions of dollars and lobbying American governments on behalf of the Jewish state. Today, Israel is a thriving, affluent and modern country, albeit with some unique problems.

During the meetings, participants spent two days brainstorming on ways to bring young unaffiliated Jews back to their roots.

The meeting, organized by the Israeli prime minister’s office, was part of a campaign to strengthen Jewish identity among young Jews and solidify their connection to Israel. Some 120 representatives from Jewish organizations around the world, mostly from North America, and a number of Israeli government ministries pledged to formulate a plan by next year to address assimilation.

Alan Hoffmann, the director of the Jewish Agency, which also convened the meeting, said the effect of Israel’s policies on American Jewish identities was not discussed. The agency is a nonprofit group that works closely with the government and acts as a link between Jews around the world.

“It’s clear to us that if you are not part of the Orthodox world and are not connected to Israel, you assimilate,” said Natan Sharansky, the Jewish Agency’s chairman.

“We need to show how much your life is more interesting, more significant if part of your identity is also a deep connection to Israel,” he added.

Israel has already invested more than $125 million trying to bring young Jews to visit, either on short tours or longer-term programs to strengthen their ties with the country. More than 300,000 young Jews from around the world have traveled to Israel on Birthright, a free 10-day trip funded by Israel as well as Jewish philanthropists. Studies show that while the trips foster a connection to Israel, that link does not always last.